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Document 32009L0032

    Safe food processing: common standards for extraction solvents

    Date of last review:
    05/07/2024
    Initial creation date:
    11/11/2010
    Summary code:
    • 09.06.01.00 Food safety rules
    • 30.10.07.01 Chemical safety – general rules
    EUROVOC descriptor:
    Directory code:
    Summarised document(s):
    Author:
    Publications Office of the European Union
    Responsible entity(ies):
    Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety

    Safe food processing: common standards for extraction solvents

     

    SUMMARY OF:

    Directive 2009/32/EC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States on extraction solvents used in the production of foodstuffs and food ingredients

    WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE DIRECTIVE?

    Directive 2009/32/EC replaces earlier legislation and establishes a single list of the extraction solvents* that can be used in the processing of food, food ingredients and raw materials according to good manufacturing practice.

    KEY POINTS

    Permitted extraction solvents to be used in compliance with good manufacturing practice for all uses are:

    • water to which substances regulating acidity or alkalinity may have been added and other food substances that possess solvent properties
    • propane
    • butane
    • ethyl acetate
    • ethanol
    • carbon dioxide
    • acetone and
    • nitrous oxide.

    Extraction solvents for which detailed conditions of use are specified in Annex I to Directive 2009/32/EC:

    • hexane
    • 2-methyloxolane
    • methyl acetate
    • ethylmethylketone
    • dichloromethane
    • methanol
    • propan-2-ol
    • dimethyl ether
    • diethyl ether
    • cyclohexane
    • butan-1-ol
    • butan-2-ol
    • propan-1-ol
    • 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane.

    European Union (EU) Member States may not prohibit, restrict or obstruct the sale of food or food ingredients if these solvents have been used in compliance with the legislation.

    Member States may not authorise the use of other substances or materials as extraction solvents.

    National authorities may temporarily suspend or restrict the use of a permitted extraction solvent if it has detailed grounds to suspect that its use in food could endanger human health.

    They must immediately inform other Member States and the European Commission, which will investigate the evidence supplied for their decision.

    Substances used as extraction solvents must provide certain visible, legible and indelible details on their packaging, containers or labels. These include:

    • a commercial name;
    • a clear indication of suitability to extract food or food ingredients; and
    • any special storage conditions.

    FROM WHEN DO THE RULES APPLY?

    The directive has applied since 26 June 2009.

    KEY TERMS

    Extraction solvent. A substance used during the processing of food that is then removed. It may leave unintentional, but technically unavoidable, residues or derivatives in the food.

    MAIN DOCUMENT

    Directive 2009/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States on extraction solvents used in the production of foodstuffs and food ingredients (recast) (OJ L 141, 6.6.2009, pp. 3–11).

    Successive amendments to Directive 2009/32/EC have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

    last update 05.07.2024

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